Offensive Recruiting Update: March 7, 2016

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7Mar 2016
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Offensive Recruiting Update: March 7, 2016

Cam Akers 765x

Clinton (MS) Clinton RB Cam Akers decommitted from Alabama

Thanks to those of you who have been using the Amazon link(s) to purchase items. As I mentioned before, right now 50% of my Amazon revenue is being donated to the Chad Tough Foundation. That means you helped donate $40 to Chad Tough in the month of February. If you want to donate straight to ChadTough, you can follow this link here (LINK).


I was trying to churn out spring practice previews last week, so the recruiting update got pushed back. And with the way Michigan is firing out offers under Jim Harbaugh, that means there are a ton of updates. Today is simply a look at the news about offensive products, with defensive guys hopefully to come tomorrow morning.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Clinton (MS) Clinton running back Cam Akers decommitted from Alabama. He’s a 5’11”, 210 lb. prospect who also has offers from Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, and Miami, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #3 running back, and #36 overall. A high school quarterback, he threw for 2,331 yards, 20 TDs, and 8 INTs last season; he also ran 169 times for 1,418 yards and 16 TDs. However, he is not expected to play QB at the next level. Akers recently said that he would probably take a visit to Michigan in the fall, but he lists Georgia and Ole Miss as his leaders now. The decommitment was not surprising, since Alabama also has #1 running back (and #1 overall player) Najee Harris committed, too.

Millbrook (AL) Stanhope Elmore tight end Zech Byrd was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 235 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, and Ole Miss, among others. Byrd is unranked at this point, because a vast majority of his offers have come in the last couple of weeks. He has the body to play tight end or defensive end at the next level, but he is very raw and doesn’t have a great feel for the game on either side.

Brunswick (GA) Brunswick offensive tackle D’Antne Demery was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 308 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #24 offensive tackle, and #158 overall. He has already named Georgia his leader, so it might be tough to pull him out of the Peach State.

Hit the jump for lots and lots more offers, including a new 2019 tender.

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6Mar 2016
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Poll results: Who was Michigan’s 2015 MVP?

Gentry Morris Rudockx

Zach Gentry, Shane Morris, and Jake Rudock

Several weeks ago, I posted a poll asking, Who was the MVP of Michigan’s 2015 season? Here were the results of the poll:

QB Jake Rudock: 77%

WR Jehu Chesson: 9%

CB Jourdan Lewis: 9%

S Jabrill Peppers: 2%

TE Jake Butt: 1%

Other: 1%

DL Willie Henry: 1%

DL Chris Wormley: 1%

(Yes, I realize that because of rounding, the percentages add up to 101%.)

My vote went to Jake Rudock, who struggled early but played extremely well during the second half of the season. With any other quarterback on the roster leading the team, Michigan wouldn’t have approached 10 wins, in my opinion. I don’t know if the same can be said about any other individual player.

What’s your argument for your pick?

4Mar 2016
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Goodbye, Desmond Morgan

Desmond Morgan 801x
HIGH SCHOOL

Morgan attended Holland (MI) West Ottawa, where he was a quarterback and inside linebacker. As a senior he threw for 519 yards and 5 touchdowns, while also running for 802 yards and 11 touchdowns. He committed to Michigan in December of 2010 as a part of the 2011 recruiting class, and I gave him a TTB Rating of 76 (LINK). A 3-star prospect across the board, Michigan only had to beat out the likes of Northwestern and some MAC programs for his commitment.

Hit the jump for more on Morgan’s career.

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3Mar 2016
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Spring Football Preview: Safeties

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Dymonte Thomas

Projected starters: Senior Delano Hill started eight games this past season, making 46 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 2 pass breakups. He is a decent tackler when stepping up to support the run, but he has yet to make much of an impact in the passing game and does not flash great speed. He is the odds-on favorite to be Michigan’s strong safety. At free safety, fellow senior Dymonte Thomas has the inside track after starting four games, making 24 tackles, and breaking up 7 passes. He has better speed and makes more plays against the pass, but he is not quite so stout against the run.

Hit the jump for more on the safety position.

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